Council reverses decision to cut library hours
LDRSA council has reversed its decision to cut the hours of a library as a cost-cutting measure.
Northumberland County Council had said reducing the opening times of Prudhoe Library would save hundreds of thousands of pounds.
It was set to become one of seven primary libraries which would be open for 28 hours, but it will now become a hub library and stay open 45 hours a week.
Conservative leader Glen Sanderson said although only a "small percentage of people" used the library, it was still "very important".
"The library is often the only way they can socialise and enjoy the place they live in," he added.
"We said we would listen carefully and I'm really grateful to the people who have responded."
Savings at other libraries have come from reducing hours, the amalgamation with customer services and a "small number" of voluntary redundancies, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The council's head of customer experience Sarah Green said almost 90% of residents rated the library service as good, very good or outstanding.
"The proposals seek to protect and strengthen the library services and deliver the efficiencies we need to," she said.
"We heard that with Prudhoe Library, we hadn't got that proposal right."
